ITINERARY — 7 nights

DAY 1.

ARRIVE LOS
MOCHIS AIRPORT—EL FUERTE

RIO VISTA LODGE for 2 nights

You will be transferred from the Los Mochis
airport to the 16th Century colonial town of El Fuerte and the
picturesque RIO VISTA LODGE for 2 nights. From your
panoramic hilltop setting, view the El Fuerte River and this 430-year-old
cobbled-street
settlement. Enjoy alfresco patio dining surrounded by flowering plants
teeming with hummingbirds and an impressive array of majestic, native
cacti. Stroll through the quintessential colonial plaza with its towering
palms; browse the colorful local market; and view ornate architecture
while learning of the past and present significance of this historic fort
on the old “Camino Real.” All of the Spanish expeditions that settled
California journeyed through El Fuerte, recruiting local residents who
became valuable colonists with their mining, metal work, and construction
abilities. Dinner features the regional specialty of fresh garlic-grilled
bass & shrimp, with cerveza or wine.

About Copper Canyon

Copper Canyon remains today one of Mexico's best kept secrets. Until the
late 1990s, few travelers had heard of Mexico's Copper Canyon, or could
pinpoint its location, not far as the crow flies from Arizona.

This journey showcases not only one of the world's great engineering
feats, but also some of the world's most awesome scenery and the most
primitive aboriginal culture left in North America.
The region's geological splendor is truly remarkable. The name, "Copper
Canyon" is used as a general reference to the Canyons, though copper
was never mined in great quantities here. The term refers to the
copper/green colored lichen that clings to the canyon walls. A more
proper name is "Sierra Tarahumara", and is in fact a maze of 200 gorges
which combine to form a series of six massive, interconnected canyons, or
barrancas.

Covering 25,000 square miles of northwest
Mexico, the Sierra Tarahumara is a rugged landscape of interlaced canyons,
rivers, waterfalls, caves, and Shangri-La-like valleys. The region is
commonly known as the Barranca del Cobre (Copper Canyon), though that
canyon is only one of nine separate geological channels chiseled into an
ancient volcanic landscape. This canyon
system is four times larger than the Grand Canyon in the United States,
and four of its six canyons are deeper than the Grand Canyon - some by
almost 1,500 feet.

The Little Train That Could

The Chihuahua al Pacifico Railway was an almost 100
year— $90 million labor project. For 90+ years, entrepreneurs on both sides of the Sierra
Tarahumara and internationally planned and raised money for an almost
unthinkable engineering project - joining Los Mochis on the Sea of Cortez
with the booming central plateau city of Chihuahua to the northeast.
Interestingly, this route was not perceived as a tourist attraction until
the late 1990s. Rather it was viewed as an economic lifeline through a
region with insurmountable natural obstacles, and an opportunity to open up
virgin mining and forestry territory. Thirty-seven bridges and 89 tunnels
make this rail route one of the world's finest engineering projects. By the time the Chihuahua al Pacifico
Railroad became a reality in 1961, this $90 million marvel was celebrated
as a model of engineering genius by many, and dreaded by the indigenous
people of the region as putting an end to their traditional solitary way
of life.

The Chihuahua al Pacifico
Railroad carries riders from sea level to over 2,400 meters (8,000 feet)
when traveling west from the agricultural city of Los Mochis, through
coastal plains, up and over the Sierra Madre mountain range before
descending to the city of Chihuahua 655 kms (393 miles) away. El Chepe, as the train is nicknamed, boasts 37 major
bridges and 89 tunnels along its 400-mile route, and takes visitors
through five climate zones of changing vegetation, past stunning rock
formations and waterfalls, and even through a tunnel that does a
180-degree turn within a 95-foot elevation change—all in a 16-hour trip.

Wildlife is equally varied. 290 species migratory and
indigenous birds, several large mammal species (bear, deer, large cats),
and numerous reptiles (87 species) inhabit the area. Complimenting the
area's awesome natural attractions is the equally interested Tarahumara (Raramuri,
as they called themselves) Indian culture. These semi-nomadic people
number around 50,000, many are predominately cliff and cave dwellers eking
out a meager substance from simple farming, ranching, and handicrafts. Men
are noted for their remarkable running ability, competing in grueling
races that stretch non-stop for over 100 miles at times.

DAY 2.

EL FUERTE

Morning transfer to the river for a tranquil
FLOAT [no white water] on the RIO FUERTE in a non-motorized boat with
padded seats, life vests, and the guidance and natural history expertise
of your guide. Identify the numerous exotic birds endemic to this unique
tropical habitat, and stop along the shore to view extensive and
well-preserved Nahuatl Petroglyphs and mining ruins. Hikers may trek
back to the lodge via a tropical deciduous and giant cacti forest .
Non-hikers will return the boat and continue on to the lodge from the
river. Later embark on a COLONIAL TREK of El Fuerte, capital of the
state of Sinaloa from 1824-26 and a vital banking and supply center for
sierra mining towns during the massive silver boom, and now the center
for local agricultural interests. On a short walk to the town center, one
discovers the Sacred Heart Church, the majestic palacio, and El Fuerte's
quintessential Mexican plaza with its cast-iron kiosk, towering palm
trees, park benches and manicured gardens. Exemplary of provincial
colonial construction, the ornate architecture remains authentic and free
from restoration affectations. This afternoon, enjoy surreal southwestern
type vistas in the sierra foothills on a drive to the secluded village of
CAPOMOS to observe a traditional MAYO INDIAN DANCE-OF-THE-DEER
performance. Breakfast, lunch and dinner at lodge.

DAY 3.

EL FUERTE—URIQUE

BARRANCAS DE URIQUE INN for
2 nights

Early
morning transfer to depot for departure aboard the Chihuahua al Pacifico
“CHEPE” train. The dramatic 8,000 foot ascent up the Pacific Palisades on
the 110 mile odyssey (7:30AM - 11:35AM) into the Sierra Madre today
provides optimum viewing on the most spectacular segment of railway, with
94 miles of fantastic bridges, tunnels and serpentines! From the depot,
drive to the Gallego rim overlooking the Urique Canyon the deepest canyon
in North America. After a gourmet picnic lunch, continue on your
descent to the bottom of the deepest canyon in North America (by guided 4
mile hike or by guided drive) and the provincial mining town of Urique
and the BARRANCAS DE URIQUE INN for 2 nights.

DAY 4.

URIQUE

Urique village has bougainvillea-covered
adobe houses, orchards of oranges, mangos and guavas and horses, burros
and pigs are a common sight on the main road. Enjoy a trek (5 - 8
miles) along the lush riparian habitat, one of the world's most biodiverse
areas with many endemic animals and plants and across a suspended
foot-bridge to a seldom visited Tarahumara Rancheria, Guadalupe Coronado.Non-hikers will enjoy a walk and van sightseeing to Guadalupe
Coronado. Enjoy a gourmet picnic with a sierra background often
alive with the squawking flocks of Military Macaws and Thick-billed
Parrots You will be privileged to observe an authentic presentation of
traditional dancing and ceremonial music with native violins, bamboo
flutes and Tarahumara drums.

Depart
Urique in time to visit the mountain town of Cerocahui and the 17th
Century gold domed Jesuit Mission church before your transfer to the depot
for a brief train ride today (11:20am - 12:05pm). Hikers will load their
gear onto the transfer vehicle and be escorted on a 6-mile hike of
breathtaking scenery traversing the
spine of the canyon. Non-hikers will drive. All will arrive at the
Tarahumara owned
UNO LODGE for 2 nights of privacy in a pristine natural setting
with a view like few on the planet. From its lofty precipice, the Uno
features the most panoramic lodge overlook with breathtaking and endless
sierra landscapes of jagged erosion and the only mile deep vistas of the
meandering river below.

DAY 6.

DIVISADERO AREA

UNO LODGE

Non-hikers may enjoy short moderate walks to
waterfalls and canyon overlooks or may embark on a day van
trip to Cusarare, viewing Jesuit Missions, Arareco Lake and perhaps a bit
of shopping at the mission store in Creel. No walking is required to have
a continuous view of the meandering Urique River 1-mile below. The tripod
mounted powerful spotting scope is a very popular attraction in the dining
area of the lodge. Hikers will experience, what has to be, one of the most
outstanding day hikes in North America viewing voluminous quantities of
volcanic rocks folded over older Cretaceous and Sedimentary layers that
have been deeply and roughly incised by the river erosion. Also explore a
cave with a Mogollan influenced archeological dwelling, probably a small
satellite site to the great Paquime Civilization, like other similar sites
in the canyons.

DAY 7.

DIVISADERO-EL FUERTE

RIO VISTA LODGE

Drive to other
panoramic canyon overlooks and visit an open-air market and observe
Tarahumara women deftly weaving their aromatic pine needle baskets in a
myriad of sizes and designs. Hikers will trek from the first overlook to
the market area. You view the sun setting over the Pacific slope
descending from the sierra over the best section of the railway on your
final train ride (1:30pm - 6:15pm). Arrive in El Fuerte and, where you
will be greeted by our staff and overnight at the RIO VISTA LODGE

F.A.Q.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Do I have to hike every day?

No, you can hike as much or as little as
you'd like. You will have your choice for each adventure to go by
foot, or to take the van. You can use whichever suits you that day.

I'm leery of
banditos! Will we be safe?

Yes, our group will be exclusively with
local professional guides that know the country and the people.

What meals will I
have to buy?

None. From the time you are picked up
from the airport in Los Mochas to the time you check out from the Rio
Vista Lodge to go home, all your meals are provided! Our hosts are
even going to prepare for us a traditional Thanksgiving dinner on
Thanksgiving Day! Included with your meals are bottled water, soft
drinks, wine, Cerveza and 100% Agave Margaritas.

Do I tip at the end
of the trip?

All tips and gratuities are included in the
package price, EXCEPT for our guide.

Will there be
shopping?

Yes, Yes, Yes

DAY 8.

DEPART EL FUERTE

Breakfast on the patio
and at the appropriate time transfer to the Los Mochis airport.

PRICE: Land package $1289.00

double
occupancy

Remember that this price
includes ALL your meals, ALL beverages including Wine, Cerveza and 100%
Agave Margaritas, ALL tips and gratuities, ALL transfers, ALL fees and
taxes.

Cancellation
Policy:
A non-refundable (if there is no wait list) $200 deposit due to hold
reservation. Balance due in full 90 days prior to departure. Cancellations
89-61 days before departure, $550 per person penalty. Cancellations 60-21
days before departure, $700 per person penalty. Cancellations 20 - 4 days
or less before departure, $800 per person penalty. No refunds for
cancellations 3 days or less. Name changes are always permissible, quote
based on number of passengers. No refunds for any unused portions of a
trip. We are not responsible for weather, mechanical failures, war,
terrorism and quarantines. All travelers will be required to sign a
release and assumption of risk. Fifty percent of cancellation fees up to a
maximum of $400 per person may be applied on our regularly priced
itineraries.

For more information
on Copper Canyon and some incredible photographs of the area, please visit